Evaporative cooling system

ABSTRACT

A system and method for air conditioning comprises a heat transfer box configured to cool water supplied to an evaporative cooling unit, an output line configured to transport water from the evaporative cooling unit to the heat transfer box, and a cool water supply line configured to transport water from the heat transfer box to the evaporative cooling unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority and benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/389,646 filedJul. 15, 2022, entitled “EVAPORATIVE COOLING SYSTEM.” U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 63/389,646 is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments are generally related to cooling systems and methods.Embodiments are further related to evaporative cooling systems andmethods. Embodiments are further related to air conditioning.Embodiments are further related to aftermarket evaporative coolingequipment to improve the function of evaporative coolers.

BACKGROUND

Most indoor spaces are equipped with a temperature control system. Manypeople elect to use “refrigerated air” systems, which use a heattransfer system to intake warmer ambient air, cool the air, and thenoutput the cooler air back into the indoor environment. Such systems areadvantageous because they are convenient and offer excellent airconditioning when required. However, refrigerated air system are alsoexpensive, both to install and to operate. Aside from the monetarycosts, refrigerated air systems also include components which usesignificant energy, and are therefore, do not offer desirable energyefficiency.

One solution is the use of evaporative cooling. Evaporative coolers takeadvantage of the evaporation of water to cool passing air. The cooledair can then be fed into an indoor environment. Evaporative airconditioning is a more cost effective approach to air conditioning ascompared to refrigerated air systems, both in terms of initialinstallation and operation. Likewise, evaporative systems use far lessenergy than standard refrigerated air systems.

While there are numerous advantages to evaporative cooling, there arealso certain drawbacks. For example, evaporative cooling systems requirea relatively dry ambient climate. Evaporation is inefficient orimpossible in environments with high humidity, or dew point. Inaddition, evaporative cooling systems currently are limited to coolingof approximately 20 degrees below the surrounding outdoor temperature.As a result, on a hot day, the cooling offered by an evaporative coolingsystem may not be sufficient to make the indoor environment comfortable.

As such, there is a need in the art for methods and systems which arecost effective and energy efficient, while still providing sufficientcooling to make the indoor space being cooled comfortable. Such methodsand systems are disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of someof the innovative features unique to the embodiments disclosed and isnot intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of thevarious aspects of the embodiments can be gained by taking the entirespecification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.

In an embodiment, systems and methods for cooling are disclosed.

In an embodiment, systems and methods for evaporative cooling aredisclosed.

In an embodiment, systems, and methods for modifying standardevaporative cooling systems are disclosed.

In an embodiment, air conditioning systems are disclosed.

In an embodiment, methods and systems for cooling water associated withevaporative cooling systems are disclosed.

In an embodiment, methods, and systems for cooling air from evaporativecooling systems are disclosed.

For example, in certain embodiments, a system comprises a heat transferbox configured to cool water supplied to an evaporative cooling unit, anoutput line configured to transport water from the evaporative coolingunit to the heat transfer box, and a cool water supply line configuredto transport water from the heat transfer box to the evaporative coolingunit. In an embodiment, the heat transfer box comprises a housing, thehousing comprising an outer housing, an inner housing, and insulationformed between the outer housing and the inner housing. In anembodiment, the heat transfer box comprises a filter attached to a hotinput valve, the hot input valve further connected to the output line.

In an embodiment, the heat transfer box comprises an ice maker and aheat transfer tank, wherein ice from the ice maker is mixed with watertransported into the heat transfer box via the output line. In anembodiment the heat transfer box comprises a pump operably connected tothe heat transfer tank and configured to pump water from the heattransfer tank to the cool water supply line.

In an embodiment, the heat transfer box comprises an evaporativecapillary coil and a cooling tube in thermal communication with theevaporative capillary coil. In an embodiment, the cooling tube isconfigured to accept water input from the output line, and circulatewater to the cool water supply line. In an embodiment, the systemcomprises an expansion device operably connected to the evaporativecapillary coil, a compressor operably connected to the evaporativecapillary coil, and a condenser coil configured between the compressorand the expansion device.

In another embodiment, an air conditioning system comprises anevaporative cooling unit, a heat transfer box configured to cool watersupplied to an evaporative cooling unit, an output line configured totransport water from the evaporative cooling unit to the heat transferbox, and a cool water supply line configured to transport water from theheat transfer box to the evaporative cooling unit. In an embodiment theheat transfer box comprises a housing, the housing comprising an outerhousing, an inner housing, and insulation formed between the outerhousing and the inner housing, a filter attached to a hot input valve,the hot input valve further connected to the output line.

In an embodiment, the heat transfer box comprises an ice maker and aheat transfer tank, wherein ice from the ice maker is mixed with watertransported into the heat transfer box via the output line.

In another embodiment, the heat transfer box comprises an evaporativecapillary coil and a cooling tube in thermal communication with theevaporative capillary coil, wherein the cooling tube is configured toaccept water input from the output line and circulate water to the coolwater supply line. In an embodiment the system comprises an expansiondevice operably connected to the evaporative capillary coil, acompressor operably connected to the evaporative capillary coil, and acondenser coil configured between the compressor and the expansiondevice.

In an embodiment, the evaporative cooling unit comprises a water inputoperably connected to the cool water supply line and an outlet operablyconnected to the output line. In an embodiment, the evaporative coolingunit further comprises a water distribution assembly connected to thecool water supply line by the water input.

In another embodiment an air conditioning method comprises transportingwater from an evaporative cooling unit to a heat transfer box with anoutput line, cooling water from the evaporative cooling unit with theheat transfer box, and transporting water from the heat transfer box tothe evaporative cooling unit with a cool water supply line. In anembodiment, the method comprises filtering water from the output linewith a filter attached to a hot input valve. In an embodiment, coolingwater from the evaporative cooling unit with the heat transfer boxcomprises collecting water from the output line in a heat transfer tank,making ice with an ice maker, and providing the ice to the heat transfertank, wherein the ice from the ice maker is mixed with water in the heattransfer tank. In an embodiment, cooling water from the evaporativecooling unit with the heat transfer box further comprises providingwater from the output line to a cooling tube and transferring heat inthe water in the cooling tube to an evaporative capillary coil inthermal communication with the cooling tube. In an embodiment, themethod comprises distributing water from the cool water supply line to awater distribution assembly in the evaporative cooling unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification,further illustrate the embodiments and, together with the detaileddescription, serve to explain the embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an air conditioning system, inaccordance with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 2A illustrates an evaporative cooler, in accordance with thedisclosed embodiments;

FIG. 2B illustrates another evaporative cooler, in accordance with thedisclosed embodiments;

FIG. 3A illustrates a heat transfer box, in accordance with thedisclosed embodiments;

FIG. 3B illustrates another heat transfer box, in accordance with thedisclosed embodiments;

FIG. 4A illustrates a front view of an alternative heat transfer box, inaccordance with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 4B illustrates a rear view of an alternative heat transfer box, inaccordance with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cooling ring for cooling air exiting an evaporativecooler, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a method for air conditioning, in accordance with thedisclosed embodiments;

FIG. 7A illustrates a top view of an air conditioning system, inaccordance with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 7B illustrates a side view of an air conditioning system andassociated components, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 7C illustrates a front view of an air conditioning system, inaccordance with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 7D illustrates a side view of an air conditioning system, inaccordance with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for air conditioning using the airconditioning system, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 9A illustrates a front external view of a cooling system, inaccordance with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 9B illustrates a rear external view of a cooling system, inaccordance with the disclosed embodiments; and

FIG. 9C illustrates an internal view of a cooling system, in accordancewith the disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The particular values and configurations discussed in the followingnon-limiting examples can be varied, and are cited merely to illustrateone or more embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrativeembodiments are shown. The embodiments disclosed herein can be embodiedin many different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willbe further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,”when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

Throughout the specification and claims, terms may have nuanced meaningssuggested or implied in context beyond an explicitly stated meaning.Likewise, the phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does notnecessarily refer to the same embodiment and the phrase “in anotherembodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a differentembodiment. It is intended, for example, that claimed subject matterinclude combinations of example embodiments in whole or in part.

In general, terminology may be understood at least in part from usage incontext. For example, terms such as “and,” “or,” or “and/or” as usedherein may include a variety of meanings that may depend at least inpart upon the context in which such terms are used. Typically, “or” isused to associate a list, such as A, B, or C, is intended to mean A, B,and C, here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B, or C, hereused in the exclusive sense. In addition, the term “one or more” as usedherein, depending at least in part upon context, may be used to describeany feature, structure, or characteristic in a singular sense or may beused to describe combinations of features, structures, orcharacteristics in a plural sense. In addition, the term “based on” maybe understood as not necessarily intended to convey an exclusive set offactors and may, instead, allow for existence of additional factors notnecessarily expressly described, again, depending at least in part oncontext.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art. It will be further understood that terms,such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in anidealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Systems and methods for air conditioning are disclosed herein.Conceptually, evaporative coolers use evaporation as the fundamentalmechanism for air cooling. This is achieved with a wet membrane as amedium between outside ambient air and air flowing though the membraneinto the indoor environment being cooled. Air flowing through the wetmembrane causes the water to evaporate making the air flowing through itcooler.

In certain embodiments disclosed herein, cold water can be circulatedthrough the system, which slows down the air molecules, cooling down theair even further and creating cooler temperatures. In certain aspects,circulating the cold-water acts as a barrier. Ambient air moleculesflowing through the membrane soaked with cold water release energy tothe water cooling down the air. The heated water can then be circulatedthrough a heat transfer box, that can be embodied in several ways,making the water cold again, for recirculation to the membrane. Oneaspect of the embodiments is that it can be assembled as a new airconditioning unit, or can be used to modify existing evaporative coolingsystems.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components of an air conditioning system100, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. In general, thesystem comprises an evaporative cooling unit 105 and a heat transfer box110. The evaporative cooling unit 105 is illustrated in further detailin FIGS. 2A and 2B. The heat transfer box 110 is illustrated in furtherdetail in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The evaporative cooling unit 105 can beconnected to the heat transfer box 110 with an output line 115. The heattransfer box 110 can cool the water provided via the output line 115.Likewise, the cool water supply line 120 supplies cooled water from theheat transfer box 110 to the evaporative cooling unit 105. In certaincases, the cool water supply line 120 can be insulated to ensure thecool water remains cool in transit. The system can further include a newwater supply line 125, which can connect a domestic water source to thesystem 100. The new water supply line 125 provides water to the system100 as the total water level drops as a consequence of evaporation.

FIG. 2A illustrates an evaporative cooling system 105 in accordance withthe disclosed embodiments. It should be appreciated that the evaporativecooling system 105 is exemplary and other evaporative cooling systemscan similarly be used without departing from the scope disclosed herein.The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A represents an example of anevaporative cooling system that can be retrofitted to operate as acomponent in the air conditioning system 100.

The evaporative cooling system 105 can comprise a housing 205 configuredto allow airflow along the top, bottom, or sides. This can includegratings or other such openings to allow airflow. Interior to thesesides, evaporative cooling pads 210 can be installed. The evaporativecooling pads 210 can comprise any material which can absorb water, butis sufficiently porous to allow airflow, as is known in the art.

The housing 205 can further include a water input 215 configured toallow water to flow into the pan 220 of the housing 205. The water levelin the pan 220 can be controlled with a valve 225. The valve 225 cancomprise a float valve or any other such valve which closes when thedesired water level of water 155 is reached. A pump 230 can beconfigured in the pan 220. The pump is configured to pump water througha water distribution assembly 235. The water distribution assembly 235is used to distribute water from the pan 220 to the pads 210. The systemcan be gravity fed so the water distributed at the top of the pad ispulled by gravity into the pad 210.

The evaporative cooling system further comprises a fan 240 usuallyarranged proximate to a ducting inlet 250. The fan 240 can comprise adrum fan or other such fan. The fan 240 draws ambient exterior airthrough the soaked pads 210 as illustrated by arrows 245. As theexterior or ambient air passes through the pads 210, the water thereinevaporates, which cools the air flowing therethrough. The fan 240further blows the now cooled air into the ducting inlet 250 where it isdistributed to the indoor environment (e.g., a house) where cooling isdesired.

The water input 215 can be configured to accept input from the coolwater supply line 120 connected to the heat transfer box 110. In thisway, the system 100 can be retrofitted to operate with an existingevaporative cooling unit. In such an embodiment, an outlet 260 can beprovided to connect to output line 115 to circulate warmer water to theheat transfer box. In such an embodiment, a collector tank 255 can beused to hold the cooled incoming water separate from the heated outgoingwater. The collector tank 255 can comprise an insulated box in the pan220 to reduce heat transfer to the interior of the evaporative coolingunit, and/or the adjacent heated outgoing water.

FIG. 2B illustrates another evaporative cooling system 105 in accordancewith the disclosed embodiments. In this embodiment, the cooling systemshares some of the same components as that of FIG. 2A. However, in thisexample embodiment, the need for a pump, is eliminated, because an inputvalve 265 can be used to connect the cool water supply line 120 directlyto the water distribution assembly 235. In this embodiment, a continuousflow of cool water can be supplied to the evaporative cooling system 105via the cool water supply line. The pan 220 can be fitted with an outlet260 to connect to output line 115 to circulate hot water to the heattransfer box.

FIG. 3A illustrates aspects of a heat transfer box 110, in accordancewith an embodiment. The heat transfer box 110 can comprise a housing305, which can further comprise an outer housing 320 and inner housing310 with insulation 315 formed in between the inner housing 310 andouter housing 320. Hot input valve 325 can be formed in the housing 305,and serves to allow hot water from the evaporative cooling system 105via output line 115 to be fed into the heat transfer box 110. A filter330 can be connected to the interior or exterior side of the hot inputvalve to remove any particulate matter from the evaporative coolingsystem 105.

In this embodiment, the heat transfer box 110 includes an ice maker 335configured on the interior of the heat transfer box 110. The ice maker335 can be configured to freeze water 360 and produce ice cubes 365according to methods well known in the art. The water supply can bewater drawn from in the heat transfer tank 340, or can come from anexternal water source such as new water supply line 125. The ice maker335 will require a power source 345 which can be mains AC power from thehouse or other structure, or can comprise a battery configured toprovide DC power from, for example, a solar collector.

The heat transfer tank 340 can be configured inside the insulated heattransfer box 110. Ice from the ice maker 335 can be mixed with incominghot water from the evaporative cooler system 105. The ice cools thewater in the heat transfer tank. Pump 350 can then be used to pump thecooled water out cool water outlet 355 and back to the evaporativecooling system 105.

FIG. 3B illustrates aspects of a heat transfer box 110, in accordancewith another embodiment. The heat transfer box 110 can comprise ahousing 305, which can further comprise an outer housing 320 and innerhousing 310 with insulation 315 formed in between the inner housing 310and outer housing 320. Hot input valve 325 can be formed in the housing305, and serves to allow hot water from the evaporative cooling system105 via output line 115 to be fed into the heat transfer box 110. Afilter 330 can be connected to the interior side of the hot input valveto remove any particulate matter from the evaporative cooling system105.

In this embodiment, the heat transfer box 110 includes a refrigerationsystem configured to cool the incoming water from the evaporativecooling system 105 interior to the heat transfer box 110. Therefrigeration system generally includes an evaporative capillary coil370, which can be configured to be in thermal communication with thecooling tube 375 configured to serve as the medium through which heatedwater from the evaporative cooling system 105 is cooled. In certainembodiments, the evaporative capillary coil 370 comprises a copper coilwinding tube interleaved with the cooling tube 375 which can alsocomprise a copper coil winding tube.

The refrigeration system further comprises an expansion device 380 (alsoknown as a metering device) operably connected to the evaporativecapillary coil 370. The expansion device 380 can comprise a capillarytube, a thermostatic expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve, orthe like. In practice, liquid refrigerant in the refrigeration system issubject to a pressure drop at the expansion device, which results in anassociated temperature drop. The cooled liquid refrigerant then flowsthrough the evaporative capillary coil 370, which is in thermalcommunication with the cooling tube 375.

Higher temperature water in the cooling tube 375 transfers heat to thelower temperature refrigerant in the evaporative capillary coil 370. Theheated refrigerant in the capillary coil then convects the newly addedheat in the refrigerant to a compressor 385. The compressor 385compresses the refrigerant. The compressor facilitates a state changefrom a liquid to a gas. The gaseous refrigerant is then sent to acondenser coil 390 where the heat in the refrigerant is transferred tothe exterior environment. A fan 390 can be used to blow hot air to theexterior environment. The gaseous refrigerant is condensed back into aliquid at the condenser coil 390. The liquid refrigerant is thenrecycled to the expansion device 380 where the process is repeated.

Power can be supplied to the refrigeration system with a power source345 which can be mains AC power from the house or other structure, orcan comprise a battery configured to provide DC power from, for example,a solar collector.

This continuous loop refrigeration system is thus used to cool the waterin the cooling tube 375. The cooled water from the cooling tube 375 isthen pumped with pump 350 back to the evaporative cooling system 105 viacool water supply line 120 at a reduced temperature. In exemplaryembodiments, the temperature of the water can be between 33 and 45degrees Fahrenheit, although other temperatures are possible.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate another embodiment of a heat transfer box 110in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. It should be appreciatedthat aspects of the heat transfer box 110 provided in FIGS. 3A and 3Bmay be incorporated in whole or in part in other embodiments, withoutdeparting from the scope of the embodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates a front view of a heat transfer box 110 inaccordance with the disclosed embodiments. The heat transfer box 110 cancomprise a housing 305, which can further comprise an outer housing 320and inner housing 310 with insulation 315 formed in between the innerhousing 310 and outer housing 320. The insulation 315 can comprisepolyurethane insulation of a necessary thickness. In some embodiments, 3inches of insulation may suffice, but other thicknesses are possible.Hot input valve 325 can be formed in the housing 305, and serves toallow hot water from the evaporative cooling system 105 via output line115 to be fed into the heat transfer box 110. A filter 330 can beconnected to the hot input valve to remove any particulate matter fromthe evaporative cooling system 105.

The top portion 405 of the housing can be configured with an ice makingsystem 410. The ice making system 410 includes ice maker 415 and icemaker 416, both of which are configured to output ice into tray 420 withslot 425 configured to allow the ice to drop into heat transfer tank340. The top portion 405 of the housing 305 can have insulation 430surrounding the ice maker 415 and tray 420 to improve the efficiency ofthe ice makers 415 and 416.

The top portion 405 can further be configured with thermoelectriccoolers 435, 436, and 437. The thermoelectric coolers are configured tocool the top portion 405 of the housing 305. The thermoelectric coolers435, 436, and 437 operate according to the Peltier effect. In practice avoltage can be applied across semiconductors of different types. Acooling effect is created by passing current through one plate to theother. The cold side absorbs heat from the environment in the topportion. The heat is transferred to the hot side.

FIG. 4B illustrates a rear view of the heat transfer box 110. Asillustrated the hot side of the thermoelectric coolers 435, 436, and437, can be positioned exterior to the housing 305. A heat sink 440 andheat pipe mounted to an aluminum water flow housing 445, with outlethose 446 can be configured proximate to the hot side of thethermoelectric coolers 435, 436, and 437. An electric panel 450 can beprovided on the housing 305 for access to internal components and powersource 345.

The heat transfer tank 340 can be configured inside the insulated heattransfer box 305. Ice from the ice maker 335 can be mixed with incominghot water from the evaporative cooler system 105. The ice cools thewater in the heat transfer tank 340. Pump 350, surrounded by pumphousing 351, can then be used to pump the cooled water out cool wateroutlet 355 and back to the evaporative cooling system 105.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a cooling system 500. Thecooling system 500 is configured to take advantage of the convection ofcold air through a ducting inlet 250. In the system 500, a cooling ring505 can be configured on the ducting inlet 250 in order to further coolthe air flow 510 through the ducting inlet 250 into the indoorenvironment. Aspects of the cooling ring 505 are shown in exploded view550.

The cooling ring 510 can comprise an evaporative coil capillary 515integrated in or otherwise configured in the ducting inlet 250. A fanand heat sink 520 can be used to distribute heat away from theevaporative coil capillary 515. It should be appreciated that thecooling system 500 can further comprise an expansion device 380, acompressor 385, and condenser 390 as detailed herein. The cooling ring510 can be used in conjunction with other embodiments disclosed hereinto further cool air entering the indoor environment.

FIG. 6 illustrates an air conditioning method 600 in accordance with thedisclosed embodiments. The method begins at block 602.

At block 604 water from an evaporative cooler can be supplied to a heattransfer box. The water can be filtered in order to prevent theintroduction of particulate matter into the heat transfer box.

Water in the heat transfer box can be cooled at step 606. In someembodiments, the water can be cooled by adding ice to the water in theheat transfer box. The method can include generating ice fordistribution into the water.

In another embodiment, the water can be cooled by transporting the waterthrough a cooling tube which is in thermal communication with anevaporative coil capillary. In the embodiment, the evaporative coilcapillary is supplied refrigerant via an expansion device. The heat inthe cooling tube is transferred to the refrigerant in the evaporativecoil capillary. The heated refrigerant is then compressed by acompressor into a gas. The gas is then provided to a condenser where therefrigerant is condensed back into a liquid and the associated heat isreleased into the ambient environment. The liquified coolant is thencirculated back to the expansion device (or metering device), forrecirculation through the cooling circuit.

Once the water is cooled, at block 608, the cooled water can be pumpedback to the evaporative cooler. The cooled water is distributed by awater distribution system to evaporative cooling pads as shown at block610. The evaporative cooler can draw air through the cooling pads,cooling the air in the process as shown at block 612. The excess waterdrains from the evaporative cooling pads, at which point it can berecirculated to the heat transfer box at block 614. The method ends atstep 616.

FIGS. 7A-7D illustrates an air conditioning system 700, in accordancewith another embodiment. FIG. 7A illustrates a top view of the system700. The system can comprise a housing 705. The housing 705 can beinsulated and can be configured to house an evaporative coil 710 andliquid coil 715 positioned in an insulated section 720 of the housing705 with an insulated housing lid 725. An ice and water housing 730 canbe configured such that it is surrounded by the evaporative coil 710 andliquid coil 715. The evaporative coil 710 along with the cooled liquidcoil 715 can wrap around the ice water housing 730, which can comprisean aluminum incasement. This incasement holds the ice and water and canhave a lid to facilitate convenient addition of water or ice. Thehousing can include latches 780 and hinges 785 to allow the lid to openand close. This aluminum incasement helps to keep things cold. Theevaporative coil 710 is in thermal contact with the liquid coil, as isthe ice water housing 730. These elements in combination comprise a heattransfer system and work in conjunction to keep the cold liquid coil 715cold.

The interior of the housing 705 can also include a fan 735, which cancomprise a centrifugal fan, drum fan or other such fan used to drivecold air into the desired environment, through air ducting. A driveshaft 740 is operably connected to the fan 735 and configured to operatevia a motor and belt assembly, mounted with a motor mount 750. The driveshaft can further connect to vent fan 745. An RC panel housing 755 canbe provided in the housing 705 to hold various components.

FIG. 7B provides a side view illustrating additional aspects of the airconditioning system 700. The housing 700 can also house an electricmotor 760 used to drive the drive shaft 740. The electric motor 760 canconnect to an external power source such as AC mains power or a DC powersupply (e.g., a battery).

The evaporative coil 710 is a component of a refrigerant systemcomprising an energy efficient compressor 765 as well as a condenser,and metering device. The electric motor can be used to drive aspects ofthe refrigerant system. Refrigerant is circulated through the system aspreviously detailed with respect to other embodiments. The evaporativecoil 710 is in thermal contact with the cold liquid coil 715, such thatheat absorbed in the cold liquid coil is transferred to the evaporativecoil.

The cold liquid coil 715 is attached to a water pump 770 that circulatesthe cold liquid through a medium 775 (e.g., a radiator) as illustratedin FIG. 7C. The radiator 775 serves as the medium for heat to betransferred from the air to the cold liquid. The cold liquid circulatesback through the insulated housing 705 where the cooling components,including the evaporative coil 710 and aluminum encasement 730 extractthe heat from the cool liquid.

As illustrated in the rear view of FIG. 7D, the heat in the evaporativecoil 710 is transferred to the condenser coil 790 which is air cooled bya fan 745 that is attached to the same motor as the centrifugal fan 735making it more efficient.

Ambient external air drawn into the system 700 is thus cool via thecooled liquid in the radiator. The cold air is then blown into thedesired environment (e.g., the internal volume of a building) tocondition the indoor temperature.

FIG. 8 illustrates steps associated with a cooling method 800 accordingto the system illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7D and/or FIGS. 9A-9C. The methodstarts at 802.

At step 804, cooling liquid is provided to a heat transfer system. Theheat transfer system comprises an ice and water container with cooledfluid windings and evaporative coil windings in contact therewith. Thecooling liquid flowing through the cooled fluid windings is cooled inthe heat transfer system as illustrated at 806.

At step 808, the cooled liquid is pumped to a heat transfer medium suchas a radiator. The cooled liquid is distributed through the medium asillustrated at 810. As air passes through the medium, the cooled liquidcools the air as shown at 812. The cooled air can be directed into theenvironment where cooling is desired. Most commonly this can includeblowing the cold air with a fan, into ducting to direct the air to anindoor environment.

The cooled liquid, which has now been heated by the passing air, can bepumped back to the heat transfer system at step 816, where the liquidcan be cooled again, and recirculated to the medium for further cooling.The method ends at 818.

FIG. 9A-9C illustrate aspects of another embodiment of a cooling system900 configured in a single enclosure 902. FIG. 9A illustrates a frontview of the cooling system 900, which includes enclosure 902 and frontgrate 904. The enclosure includes ice loading slot 906 and water loadingslot 908. The enclosure 902 can be insulated and can be configured tohouse a radiator 912 and condenser coil 918. FIG. 9B illustrates arearview of the cooling system 900 including rear vent grate 910.

FIG. 9C illustrates the components of the cooling system 900, internalto the enclosure 902 (not shown in FIG. 9C). The system 900 includes aradiator 912 behind the front grate 904. The rear vent grate 910 cansimilarly include the condenser coil 918.

External air can be drawn through the system 900 by centrifugal fan 914and bladed fan 920. A shaft mount 930 can be connected to a pulley 922configured to drive a drive shaft 924. The drive shaft 924 can beconnected to both the bladed fan 920 and centrifugal fan 914. The pulleyis connected to an electric motor 916, which is used to drive the driveshaft 924. The electric motor 916 can connect to an electricalcontroller 932, which can include an input for external power.

An ice and water housing 926 can be configured such that it is thermalcontact with the radiator 912 and condenser coil 918. The ice and waterhousing 926 helps to keep things cold. The radiator 912 is in thermalcontact with the condenser coil 918. The ice water housing can also bein thermal contact with the radiator 912 and condenser coil 918. Theseelements in combination comprise a heat transfer system and work inconjunction to keep the internal volume of the enclosure 902 cold.

The condenser coil 918 is a component of a refrigerant system comprisingan energy efficient compressor 934 as well as a condenser, and meteringdevice. The electric motor can be used to drive aspects of therefrigerant system. Refrigerant is circulated through the system 900 aspreviously detailed with respect to other embodiments. The radiator 912is in thermal contact with the condenser coil 918, such that heatabsorbed in the condenser coil 918 is transferred to the radiator 912.

The radiator 912 can be connected to a water pump 928 that circulatesthe cold liquid through the radiator 912. The radiator 912 serves as themedium for heat to be transferred from the air to the cold liquid. Thecold liquid can circulate back through the system where the coolingcomponents, including the condenser coil 918 extract the heat from thecool liquid. In this way, the heat in the radiator 912 is transferred tothe condenser coil 918 which is air cooled by the fan 920 that isattached to the same motor 916 as the centrifugal fan 914.

Ambient external air drawn into the system 900 is thus cool via thecooled liquid in the radiator 912. The cold air is then blown into thedesired environment (e.g., the internal volume of a building) tocondition the indoor temperature.

In accordance with aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, a systemis configured in which a freezing or cooling system or method is used tolower the temperature within an insulated heat transfer box. Using thelower temperatures, the water can be cooled to a low of 35F using ice orcopper windings. That water is then circulated with a water pump up tothe evaporative cooler. Cool water then becomes the medium of heatexchange where ambient air releases its energy to the water heating itup, cooling the air passing through it. This water is then passedthrough a filter where it will continue on back to the heat transfer boxto be cooled again repeating the process. This system can be located onthe evaporative cooler, or it can be located at the bottom of the home.

In certain embodiments the system embodies a freezing mechanism,refrigerant cooling, and thermoelectric effect. The system includes afan or turbine along with a Heat sink or condenser unit that can bewater, air, or evaporative cooled. The system can further comprise anevaporative coil with some type of metering device. The system cancomprise a closed system with a water pump. A small filtration systemthat catches debris from entering and clogging the copper windings canbe provided. An insulated housing can be used to improve energyconservation and cooling efficiency. The system can include a thermostatsystem that allows for optimal water temperature tuning. Insulated PEXline can be used for water transfer. Together these systems worktogether to cool down the water being circulated as the heat transfermedium allowing lower temperatures as compared to a standard evaporativecooler.

Based on the foregoing, it can be appreciated that a number ofembodiments, preferred and alternative, are disclosed herein.

It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirablycombined into many other different systems or applications. Also, itwill be appreciated that various presently unforeseen or unanticipatedalternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may besubsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended tobe encompassed by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a heat transfer boxconfigured to cool water supplied to an evaporative cooling unit; anoutput line configured to transport water from the evaporative coolingunit to the heat transfer box; and a cool water supply line configuredto transport water from the heat transfer box to the evaporative coolingunit.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the heat transfer box comprises:a housing, the housing comprising an outer housing, an inner housing,and insulation formed between the outer housing and the inner housing.3. The system of claim 1 wherein the heat transfer box comprises: afilter attached to a hot input valve, hot input valve further connectedto the output line.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the heat transferbox comprises: an ice maker; and a heat transfer tank, wherein ice fromthe ice maker is mixed with water transported into the heat transfer boxvia the output line.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the heat transferbox comprises: a pump operably connected to the heat transfer tank andconfigured to pump water from the heat transfer tank to the cool watersupply line.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the heat transfer boxcomprises: an evaporative capillary coil; and a cooling tube in thermalcommunication with the evaporative capillary coil.
 7. The system ofclaim 6 wherein the cooling tube is configured to accept water inputfrom the output line, and circulate water to the cool water supply line.8. The system of claim 6 further comprising: an expansion deviceoperably connected to the evaporative capillary coil; a compressoroperably connected to the evaporative capillary coil; and a condensercoil configured between the compressor and the expansion device.
 9. Anair conditioning system comprising: an evaporative cooling unit; a heattransfer box configured to cool water supplied to an evaporative coolingunit; an output line configured to transport water from the evaporativecooling unit to the heat transfer box; and a cool water supply lineconfigured to transport water from the heat transfer box to theevaporative cooling unit.
 10. The air conditioning system of claim 9wherein the heat transfer box comprises: a housing, the housingcomprising an outer housing, an inner housing, and insulation formedbetween the outer housing and the inner housing; a filter attached to ahot input valve, the hot input valve further connected to the outputline.
 11. The air conditioning system of claim 9 wherein the heattransfer box comprises: an ice maker; and a heat transfer tank, whereinice from the ice maker is mixed with water transported into the heattransfer box via the output line.
 12. The air conditioning system ofclaim 9 wherein the heat transfer box comprises: an evaporativecapillary coil; and a cooling tube in thermal communication with theevaporative capillary coil, wherein the cooling tube is configured toaccept water input from the output line and circulate water to the coolwater supply line.
 13. The air conditioning system of claim 12 furthercomprising: an expansion device operably connected to the evaporativecapillary coil; a compressor operably connected to the evaporativecapillary coil; and a condenser coil configured between the compressorand the expansion device.
 14. The air conditioning system of claim 9wherein the evaporative cooling unit comprises: a water input operablyconnected to the cool water supply line; and an outlet operablyconnected to the output line.
 15. The air conditioning system of claim14 wherein the evaporative cooling unit further comprises: a waterdistribution assembly connected to the cool water supply line by thewater input.
 16. An air conditioning method comprising: transportingwater from an evaporative cooling unit to a heat transfer box with anoutput line; cooling water from the evaporative cooling unit with theheat transfer box; and transporting water from the heat transfer box tothe evaporative cooling unit with a cool water supply line.
 17. The airconditioning method of claim 16 further comprising: filtering water fromthe output line with a filter attached to a hot input valve.
 18. The airconditioning method of claim 16 wherein cooling water from theevaporative cooling unit with the heat transfer box comprises:collecting water from the output line in a heat transfer tank; makingice with an ice maker; and providing the ice to the heat transfer tank,wherein the ice from the ice maker is mixed with water in the heattransfer tank.
 19. The air conditioning method of claim 16 whereincooling water from the evaporative cooling unit with the heat transferbox further comprises: providing water from the output line to a coolingtube; and transferring heat in the water in the cooling tube to anevaporative capillary coil in thermal communication with the coolingtube.
 20. The air conditioning method of claim 16 further comprising:distributing water from the cool water supply line to a waterdistribution assembly in the evaporative cooling unit.